Paperclips

This artist’s book of black-and-white photos of bent paperclips, which takes the form of a large notepad, rests on just a handful of design decisions that make for a very coherent object. Some 70 pages produced using a Risograph printer are stapled together at the top edge, with each showing a large-scale close-up of a manipulated paperclip against a uniform background that fades from black to white. The manifold bends produce filigree abstract sculptures offering fresh surprises on each page that evoke various allusions to art history. While the matt Risograph printing in a strong black displays the background to optimal effect, it creates an interesting contrast to the actual glossy metal of the paperclips. The book block has a thick yellow cover and is wrapped in a black-and-white matt-coated dust jacket containing the title, an essay and the colophon. The three types of paper harmonise extremely well with the binding and choice of typeface, but the ‘pad’ functions as an object even without the dust jacket (and, as a consequence, without any text). It calls to mind a notepad used for doodling during phone calls or meetings, all the more so since bending paperclips is a similarly mindless activity engaged in on such occasions.

Editors
Santiago Martinez Benedetti, Lausanne (CH); Vincent Levrat, Bulle (CH)

Author
Vincent Levrat, Bulle (CH)

Design
Santiago Martinez Benedetti, Lausanne (CH)

Printing
Le Cric Print + Edition, Marly (CH)

Publisher
Siestaaa Papers, Lausanne (CH)

ISBN
978-2-9701984-0-6